Ottawa Charge lose at home to New York Siren

The offensively challenged Ottawa Charge were beaten by two blind backhands on Monday night.

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The first, just 2:04 into their game against the New York Sirens, was a no-look floater by Chloe Aurard that Charge goalie Emerance Maschmeyer misplayed.

The second, a little less than 10 minutes later, was a brilliant pass from the slot by Jessie Eldridge, who looked like she has eyes in the back of her head the way she set up Alex Carpenter on a set play for a power-play shot into a wide-open side.

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Despite having 48 minutes to get back into the game, the Charge were unable to solve New York goalie Kayle Osbourne, a Barrhaven product who recorded her first professional shutout in her homecoming debut.

What became a 3-0 result in front of 5,629 fans at TD Place dropped the Charge (5-0-2-6) into fourth place, two points behind the Sirens (4-3-1-4).

It was both the first time Ottawa has been shut out this season and that the Charge has lost to the Sirens in three meetings.

The Charge had plenty of scoring opportunities — they outshot New York 31-20 — but were either denied by Osbourne or suffered the same finishing issues that have played through much of their first 13 games this PWHL season.

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Ottawa is the lowest-scoring team in the PWHL with just 24 goals, or 1.84 per game.

Not even the return of Katerina Mrazova from a five-game injury absence could help against New York.

Meanwhile, the Charge’s struggles continued at TD Place, where they are 0-0-1-3 since defeating the Toronto Sceptres 3-2 in their home opener on Dec. 3.

Chances of a third-period uprising were dimmed by a five-minute board major given to Tereza Vanisova with just under 14 minutes followed by a boarding call on Gabby Hughes that left Ottawa at a two-player disadvantage.

Eldridge padded the lead and sent fans to the exits on the ensuing power play.

The Charge now hits the road for games in Montreal and Toronto, Wednesday and Sataurday.

Their next home game is Feb. 13 with the Minnesota Frost providing the opposition.

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